LB spoke to Torts about the Rangers tough schedule in the next 6 weeks
Quote:
"It is imperative that we handle everything properly, including the travel, the schedule, HBO and anything else that comes our way," the coach said. "We cannot complain about anything . . . and I'm including myself in that, as much as anybody, and maybe more so.
"With all the stuff that's going to be swirling around us, our mental approach and ability to keep our focus on the right things is going to a huge, huge part of our season; even more than systems and the X's and O's.
"There's no doubt that excuses will be out there for anybody who wants to lean on them," Tortorella said. "But there will be no excuses with our team."
If we get to November over .500 we're in absolutely fantastic shape to win the division. While I think Pittsburgh finishes ahead of us, we'll realistically compete for it all year.
If we get to November over .500 we're in absolutely fantastic shape to win the division. While I think Pittsburgh finishes ahead of us, we'll realistically compete for it all year.
This is going to be an interesting year. I think they can turn a corner but by turn a corner I am hoping for 5th-6th see and getting into atleast the 2nd round.
After this year I think they can make big time noise as they will be one yr older.
G- Hank is the freaking man and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
D- very exiting but they are young. Another year will really show what they are made of
C and RW. Love it. Richards makes a huge difference. a Healthy Gaborik is key
LW- Dubi is great but after that its going to be interesting. Kreider and Hagelin are coming and that is exiting if they pan out
I seriously don't think starting in Europe is as big of a deal as some make it out to be. Like, for no other reason than, why would it be???
Stats may say otherwise, but there have been other factors too. Lately teams that have gone to the SCF's have struggled too, and when these two events have both taken place its hard to blame it on the former. The sample is small, and so forth. But in the end, the diffrence between going to Europe or going to the West for a Eastern team just aint more than what a couple of hrs.
I seriously don't think starting in Europe is as big of a deal as some make it out to be. Like, for no other reason than, why would it be???
Stats may say otherwise, but there have been other factors too. Lately teams that have gone to the SCF's have struggled too, and when these two events have both taken place its hard to blame it on the former. The sample is small, and so forth. But in the end, the diffrence between going to Europe or going to the West for a Eastern team just aint more than what a couple of hrs.
Its not going to Europe that is going to be the problem, IMO, its the fact that they go from Europe, across the US to the West coast for their extended road trip, and then finally back home.
The Rangers are already a tight group. The same group is back this season. A handful of changes. All of the players are in the same age group. They have a good group of guys. No cliques. Richards and Rupp have been skating with the players in Greenburgh. They know the other players. Richards made a comment last week about the players on the team being a close group.
I can't remember the Rangers ever opening so late at MSG. Pretty much are going to be on the road for a month. Hope they can stay a tight knit group because that's a long time to be away from home--traveling all over Europe though should be a horizon broadener for the younger North American rooted Rangers. I can see a real benefit in that. If we can break even or do better in October we should be all right barring injuries anyway. That game against Anaheim--last year the line of Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan gave us fits. I'm not sure I'd put that one in the probable win category.
Im really glad im hearing this from Torts, especially the part about HBO in relation to himself. I was worried that he would deny HBO access or full access to locker room and the day or certain day to day operations. It doesnt seem that way.
Furthermore, if anyone would be annoyed by the constant taping (and the jury is by all means, still out on this issue) it would be him and hes got to cast that aside to focus on his job which is leading this team to home ice in the playoffs.
Theres going to be a ton of things to be concerned about, hes right.
• A grueling training camp to get through
• A new captain
• A number of rookies to evaluate for the roster
• Trip to Europe for preseason and start of regular season, added travel
• Extended road trip because of the renovations, added travel early
• Improving Home Ice record (increased pressure this year with more homestands)
• Improving the PP
• Integrating the top free agent signing of the offseason
• Getting Gaborik back on his game
• Raised expectations across the board for a lot of the core youth, and the team in general
• Upcoming Winter Classic
• ... and HBO filming every moment of it the first half of the season
but thats what going to make it fun. Hopefully they all keep themselves on an even plane and its not too much of a rollercoaster ride the first half. Like he said there are a lot of easy excuses.
If this team comes together and gets through the road trip relatively healthy both physically and in the standings, it could pay off big time at the end of the year with added rest and time at home gearing up for the playoffs. Season is pretty much here fellas. Get pumped!
I don't think he really gives a **** about what anybody but his team and organization think about him, do you?
Well, I'm sure other players will be watching. If certain players think Torts is an a hole and don't want to play for him, maybe this will give them a different view of him.
Well, I'm sure other players will be watching. If certain players think Torts is an a hole and don't want to play for him, maybe this will give them a different view of him.
Torts has been around for years, I don't think he needs HBO to get the word out about his style.
I seriously don't think starting in Europe is as big of a deal as some make it out to be. Like, for no other reason than, why would it be???
Stats may say otherwise, but there have been other factors too. Lately teams that have gone to the SCF's have struggled too, and when these two events have both taken place its hard to blame it on the former. The sample is small, and so forth. But in the end, the diffrence between going to Europe or going to the West for a Eastern team just aint more than what a couple of hrs.
It's not starting in Europe that's a huge issue IMO, but I don't like them playing a bunch of preseason games against non NHL opponents right before the season starts. I feel like that kind of screws with a teams preparation for the season, but maybe I'm making that up
